TRESPASS IS UNWARRANTED & UNJUSTIFIABLE ENTRY

Now, trespass is an unwarranted or unjustifiable entry or intrusion by one person upon land in possession of another. It does not depend on the intention of the trespasser. Nor can he plead ignorance as to true owner or that he thought the land belonged to him. It is enough that the right of the owner or person in exclusive possession was invaded. It is a settled principle of law that where a person who initially entered upon land lawfully or pursuant to an authority given by the true owner, or person in possession subsequently abuses his position or that authority, he becomes a trespasser ab initio, his conduct relating back so as to make his initial entry trespass.

– Katsina-Alu, JSC. Dantsoho v. Mohammed (2003)

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TRESPASS COULD BE PREVENTED WITH REASONABLE FORCE

I agree with the submission of the Chief Legal Officer that the proposition that extra-judicial measure cannot be used to recover possession of land is not an inflexible rule. I find to be particularly apposite the decisions in Umeobi v. Otukoya (supra), and Awojugbagbe v. Chinukwe (supra), which the learned counsel cited in buttress of his argument and which in principle do not rule out the use of reasonable force to protect and repel a clear act of trespass.

– Olagunju JCA. Ofodile v. COP (2000)

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A PARTY NEED NOT PROVE TITLE TO BE ENTITLED TO DAMAGES FOR TRESPASS OF LAND

It is a correct statement of law that a claim in trespass is not dependent on proof of title to land. A plaintiff who fails to prove title may not necessarily fail in his action for trespass. If he establishes by evidence acts of exclusive possession, his claims for damages for trespass and an order of injunction may be granted: see Oluwi v. Eniola (1967 ) N.M.L.R 339 at 340; Olaloye v. Balogun (1990) 5 N.W.L.R. (Pt. 148) 24 at 39 – 40, Ajero v. Ugorji (1999) 10 N.W.L.R. (Pt. 621) 1 at 11, Amakor v. Obiefuna (1974) 1 All N.L.R. 119 at 126.

— Edozie JSC. Cosm As Ezukwu v. Peter Ukachukwu Jude Ukachukwu (SC. 160/2000, 2 July 2004)

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IN TRESPASS, TITLE SUPERCEDES EXCLUSIVE POSSESSION

Although generally speaking, a claim for trespass is rooted in exclusive possession or the right to such possession of the land in dispute, once a defendant claims to be the owner of the land in dispute, title to it is put in issue, and in order to succeed, the plaintiff must show a better title than that of the defendant: see Amakor v. Obiefuna (1974) 1 All NLR 119.

– Katsina-Alu, JSC. Dantsoho v. Mohammed (2003)

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TRESPASS TO LAND IS ROOTED ON EXCLUSIVE POSSESSION

Amakor v. Obiefuna (1974) 1 All N.L.R. (Part 1) at page 128 saying:- “Generally speaking, as a claim of trespass to land is rooted in exclusive possession, all a plaintiff need to prove is that he has exclusive possession, of the land in dispute. But once a defendant claims to be the owner of the land in dispute title to it is put in issue, and, in order to succeed, the plaintiff must show a better title than that of the defendant.”

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AN ACTION IN TRESPASS IS BASED ON EXCLUSIVE POSSESSION

An action In trespass Is based on exclusive possession of the land. See Mohammed Ojomu v. Salawu Ajao (1983) 9 S.C. 22; Amakor v. Obiefuna (1974) N.M.L.R. 331; (1974) 3S.C. 66. It lies against the whole world except one who can show a better title. See Aromire & Ors. v. Awoyemi (1972) 2 S.C. 1; Amakor v. Obiefuna (supra) at 77. Trespass is a wrong to possession. It constitutes the slightest disturbance to possession by a person who cannot show a better title. See Abotche Kponugho & Ors. v. Adja Kodadja (1933) 2 WA.C.A. 24 per Lord Alness. In order to succeed, a plaintiff must show that he is the owner of the land or that he had exclusive possession of it. A trespasser does not by the act of trespass secure possession in law from the person against whom he is in trespass. Jimoh Adelakun v. Sabitiyu Oduyele (1972) 6 S.C. 208 at 210. A trespasser without a claim of right is a trespasser ab initio and the onus is on him to prove that he has a better right to possession In order to succeed in the defence. See O. Solomon & Ors. v. A.R. Mogaji & Ors. (1982) 11 S.C. 1. When trespassers knowingly and unlawfully take possession of lands, the defence of laches is not available to them. See Lasupo Akanni & Ors. v. Makanju (1978) 11 & 12 S.C. 13 at 21.

— Obaseki, JSC. Foreign Finance Corp. v Lagos State Devt. & Pty. Corp. & Ors. (1991) – SC. 9/1988

POSSESSION IS NECESSARY TO SUCCEED FOR ACTION OF TRESPASS

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TRESPASS IS UNWARRANTED & UNJUSTIFIABLE ENTRY

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TRESPASS COULD BE PREVENTED WITH REASONABLE FORCE

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A PARTY NEED NOT PROVE TITLE TO BE ENTITLED TO DAMAGES FOR TRESPASS OF LAND

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IN TRESPASS, TITLE SUPERCEDES EXCLUSIVE POSSESSION

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TRESPASS TO LAND IS ROOTED ON EXCLUSIVE POSSESSION

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AN ACTION IN TRESPASS IS BASED ON EXCLUSIVE POSSESSION

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